Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko didn't give a firm answer regarding his future with the organization in his first media appearance since reports this summer suggested he doesn't want to sign a new contract in Columbus.
"I play hockey," Marchenko said Friday, per The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "Like, I can only talk about hockey. It's not my side, business side. It's on (Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell) and (agent Dan Milstein) and they figure out everything. My goal is to be ready on the ice."
Marchenko said he didn't see the reports, which suggested he doesn't want to remain a Blue Jacket beyond his current deal.
"Oh, too many good questions right now," Marchenko said. "I want to play hockey. That's what I can say right now. I don't want to give you guys a lot of things. I love my teammates, I love to enjoy the practices, enjoy the hockey ... it's my favorite thing in the world. I just do my job."
When asked where he wants to play hockey, Marchenko jokingly replied: "On the ice."
Marchenko is entering the final year of a three-year contract that pays him $3.85 million annually. He's scheduled to reach restricted free agency next summer and has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.
The 26-year-old has averaged 29 goals per 82 games over his career and should be in line for a significant raise.
Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness said the murkiness of Marchenko's future hasn't impacted his early performance at training camp.
"All this other noise that's going on, I can't worry about that," Bowness said, according to the Hockey Writers' Mark Scheig. "He walks in the locker room, now he's mine. Now we work together and that's all I care about. His attitude's been great. His work ethic in practice has been great."
Columbus briefly dealt with similar drama surrounding star defenseman Zach Werenski over the offseason. The Norris Trophy winner was rumored to be available via trade, but he later affirmed his desire to try to win with the organization that drafted him.
The Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs six years in a row. They begin their regular season Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres.
